Firearm receiver with adjustable positioning assembly

ABSTRACT

A firearm receiver includes a lower receiver body having a pair of takedown pin openings that are positioned along each side, and a bolt channel that extends diagonally from the back end of the receiver body to the inside of the receiver body. A takedown pin assembly is positioned within the receiver body and is in communication with the bolt channel. The takedown pin assembly including a takedown pin that is selectively positioned within the pair of takedown pin openings. The takedown pin assembly including a cam-pin and securement bolt that engage a lock tensioner that is connected to the takedown pin. The cam-pin transitioning between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the cam-pin imparts a downward force onto the lock tensioner, takedown pin and an upper receiver that is connected to the takedown pin.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation to, and claims the benefit of U.S.application Ser. No. 16/831,167 having a priority date of Mar. 27, 2019,the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to firearms, and moreparticularly to a firearm receiver and assembly for securing upper andlower receiver portions of a firearm together to reduce movement of thesame.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

As shown at background FIGS. 1A and 1B, semi-automatic rifles 1 includea separate upper receiver 2 and lower receiver 3 that are securedtogether via a pivot pin 4 along the front ends, and a takedown pin 5that is removably positioned through apertures 6 a and 6 b along theback ends of the receivers. With regard to popular rifle types, such asthe illustrated AR-15, for example, many different manufacturers producecomponents which are designed to be interconnected with other componentsto form a fully assembled firearm. In this regard, it is possible toassemble the firearm using upper and lower receivers that aremanufactured by the same or different companies.

Depending on the specific tolerances of the upper and lower receiverhalves, a resulting gap 7 is formed along the mating surfaces, and it isnot uncommon for there to be a certain amount of independent movementbetween the receiver halves when assembled. This movement (oftenreferred to as “slop”) is undesirable, as it can misalign the bolt andcartridge, thereby reducing the reliability of the firearm and/or cangreatly diminish the accuracy of the rifle because the barrel andprojectile may move in conjunction with the upper receiver in responseto recoil forces generated during rifle firing.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a firearm receiver withan adjustable positioning assembly that can reduce or eliminateundesirable movement between upper and lower receiver halves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a firearm receiver with anadjustable positioning assembly. One embodiment of the present inventioncan include a lower receiver body for communicating with an upperfirearm receiver and other firearm components. The lower receiver bodycan include a pair of takedown pin openings that are positioned alongeach side of the receiver body, and a bolt channel that extendsdiagonally from the back end of the receiver body to the inside of thereceiver body.

A takedown pin assembly can be positioned within the receiver body andcan be in communication with the bolt channel. The takedown pin assemblyincluding a takedown pin that is selectively positioned within the pairof takedown pin openings. In one embodiment, the takedown pin assemblycan include functionality for transitioning between an engaged positionand a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the takedown pinassembly can impart a downward force onto an upper receiver that isconnected to the takedown pin.

In one embodiment, the pin assembly can include a lock tensioner that isin communication with the takedown pin and a securement bolt that islocated within the bolt channel.

In one embodiment, the pin assembly can include a cam pin that ispositioned within a cam channel. The cam pin can be in communicationwith the securement bolt and selectively impart the downward force ontothe block tensioner and securement bolt upon receiving a rotationalforce.

This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not toidentify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should beappreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1A is a side view of a firearm in accordance with background art.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a firearm in accordance with backgroundart.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a receiver body of the firearm receiverwith an adjustable positioning assembly, in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a top view of a receiver body of the firearm receiver with anadjustable positioning assembly, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 3A is an exploded parts view of the firearm receiver with anadjustable positioning assembly, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the firearm receiver with an adjustablepositioning assembly, in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3C is a top view of the firearm receiver with an adjustablepositioning assembly, in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4 is a partial cutout view of the firearm receiver with anadjustable positioning assembly, in the disengaged position, inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial cutout view of the firearm receiver with anadjustable positioning assembly, in the engaged position, in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a firearm having a receiver with an adjustablepositioning assembly, in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features ofthe invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that theinvention will be better understood from a consideration of thedescription in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailedembodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, itis to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplaryof the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and asa representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriatelydetailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are notintended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandabledescription of the invention.

Definitions

As described herein, the term “removably secured,” and derivativesthereof shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or moreobjects are joined together in a non-permanent manner so as to allow thesame objects to be repeatedly joined and separated.

As described throughout this document, the term “complementary shape,”and “complementary dimension,” shall be used to describe a shape andsize of a component that is identical to, or substantially identical tothe shape and size of another identified component within a tolerancesuch as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerancesor the like.

One embodiment of a firearm receiver with an adjustable positioningassembly 10 is described below with reference to the drawings. In eachof the drawings, identical reference numerals are used for like elementsof the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity,only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures whichare necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposesof this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,”“front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relateto the invention as oriented in FIG. 6.

As shown and described below, one embodiment of the firearm receiverwith adjustable positioning assembly 10 can include a lower receiverbody 20 having an adjustable takedown pin assembly 30 positionedtherein.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate one embodiment of a firearm receiver 20 foruse with the below described assembly 30. As shown, the receiver caninclude a front end 21 a, a back end 21 b, a bottom end 21 c, a top end21 d and a pair of sides 21 e and 21 f. Pivot pin apertures 22 can bepositioned along the front end of the receiver body for receiving apivot pin such as the pivot pin 4 described above, for example.

In the preferred embodiment, the receiver body 20 can be constructed foruse as a lower receiver of an AR-15 firearm and can includefunctionality for engaging any number of associated rifle componentssuch as a handgrip, shoulder stock, trigger assembly, and an upperreceiver, for example. Each of these components and their operabilitywith a lower receiver are well known in the art.

Although described and illustrated with regard to an AR-15 rifle, thoseof skill in the art will recognize that the same principals can beapplied to any type of firearm having an upper receiver and lowerreceiver components without undue experimentation. Therefore, theinventive concepts are not to be construed as limiting to only an AR-15rifle.

In either instance, the receiver body 20 can also include a plurality ofapertures for receiving the below described adjustable takedown pinassembly 30. As such, the receiver body 20 can include takedown pinopenings 23 a and 23 b along both sides of the receiver body. In thepreferred embodiment, the takedown pin openings can include anelongated/oval shape so as to permit slight movement of the belowdescribed takedown pin upon engagement of the assembly 30.

An angled bolt channel 25 can extend diagonally from the lower backsurface of the receiver body and can terminate at the receiver blocksection 24 positioned between the receiver body sides 21 e and 21 f. Arear channel 26 can extend longitudinally from the back end of thereceiver body 21 b along the side wall of the receiver and can terminateinto the pin opening 23 a. Additionally, a cam channel 27 can bepositioned below and parallel to the openings 23 a and 23 b. The camchannel can extend through the angled bolt channel 25 in order to allowcomponents positioned within both channels to engage in the mannerdescribed below.

In the preferred embodiment, the bolt channel 25 can be positioned at anangle of between 30 degrees and 70 degrees relative to the receiver body20, so as to allow the below described assembly 30 to pull the takedownpin 32 and a connected upper receiver down and toward the back of thelower receiver at a corresponding angle. Such a feature being importantto ensure continuous and proper alignment of the rifle components.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate one embodiment of an adjustable takedown pinassembly 30 and the integration of the assembly within the receiver body20. As shown, the assembly 30 can include the illustrated lock blocktensioner 31, takedown pin 32, cam-pin 33, adjustment arms 34,securement bolt 35, sleeve 36, takedown detent pin 37 and detent spring38.

In one embodiment, the lock block tensioner 31 can include a generallyU-shaped body having parallel openings 31 a and 31 b having a shape andsize that are complementary to the size and location of the takedown pinopenings 23 a and 23 b located along the inside walls of the receiverbody. A threaded aperture 31 c can be positioned along the bottom end ofthe block body for receiving the securement bolt 35, and a groove 31 dcan be positioned along the side of the block body extendingtransversely into opening 31 a. The groove 31 d functioning to provideclearance for, and receive the sleeve 36 and detent pin 37.

As shown, the lock block tensioner 31 can be positioned along the topsurface of the receiver block 24 so that the threaded aperture 31 c isaligned with the angled bolt channel 25 in order to receive thesecurement bolt 35. When so positioned, openings 31 a and 31 b arealigned linearly with pin openings 23 a and 23 b, respectively, andfunction to receive the takedown pin 32 therethrough.

One embodiment of the takedown pin 32 can include an elongated memberhaving a narrow first end 32 a, a broad second end 32 b and an elongatedindented channel 32 c extending therebetween. In the preferredembodiment, two dimples 32 d and 32 e can be positioned along both endsof the groove.

In one embodiment, an elongated hollow sleeve 36 can be positionedwithin the rear channel 26 of the receiver and can permit movement of adetent pin 37 and spring 38 positioned within the sleeve. When sopositioned, the distal end of the sleeve can reside within the grooves31 d and 26 a, respectively, so as to be aligned perpendicularly withthe channel 32 c of the takedown pin 32. When the weapon is assembledwith a shoulder stock (not illustrated) the spring 38 can impart aconstant pressure onto the detent pin 37 so as to cause the detent pinto engage the channel and dimples of the takedown pin 32.

More specifically, the detent pin 37 allows perpendicular movement ofthe pin (relative to the detent pin) and can selectively engage dimples32 d and 32 e to maintain the pin in the open position wherein the pinis not positioned within both openings 31 a and 31 b, and the closedposition where the pin is positioned within both openings 31 a and 31 b.In either instance, the spring-loaded detent pin engages the takedownpin so as to prevent inadvertent removal of pin from the receiver.

The cam-pin 33 can include an elongated shaft having a centrally locatedaperture 33 a through which the securement bolt 35 is positioned.Recessed channel area 33 b is located along both sides of the aperture33 a perpendicular to the major axis of the pin body, and is milled topermit rotation of the pin shaft around the bolt. This rotation ispreferably equal to 90 degrees of rotation, but other degrees ofrotation are also contemplated.

In one embodiment, a pair of adjustment arms 34 can be secured alongboth sides of the cam-pin and can be selectively engaged by a user'sthumb to effect rotation of the cam-pin body. Of course, the assembly isnot limited to the use of thumb levers, as any number of othermechanisms capable of allowing a user to selectively rotate the cam-pinare also contemplated. For example, the adjustment arms can include,comprise or consist of indentations, for example, that can be engaged bya tool such as a screwdriver or Allen wrench, among other mechanisms,for example.

The securement bolt 35 can be positioned within the first end of theangled bolt channel 25 along the bottom rear portion of the receiverbody. The bolt can pass through the central cam aperture 33 a until thebolt head is resting against the cam-pin. At this time, the distal endof the bolt can pass through the other end of the channel 25 and canengage the threaded apertures 31 c on the bottom of the block tensioner.When so positioned, the bolt can be tightened to impart an initial forceonto the block tensioner.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate one embodiment of the system 10 in thedisengaged position and the engaged position, respectively.

As shown at FIG. 4, movement of the adjustment arms 34 in a firstdirection (arrow a) causes the cam-pin 33 to rotate about the securementbolt 35 until the head of the bolt is located within or along therecessed channel area 33 b. When so positioned, the cam-pin 33 and theblock tensioner 31 are separated by a first distance D1, and the cam-pindoes not impart a pulling force onto the bolt 35. Likewise, the blocktensioner does not impart an additional pulling force onto the takedownpin 32.

As such, this is the preferred position of the adjustable takedown pinassembly 30 when sliding the takedown pin between the open and closedposition, and when actively securing or disengaging an upper receiver tothe takedown pin 32.

As shown at FIG. 5, movement of the adjustment arms 34 in a seconddirection (arrow b) causes the cam-pin 33 to rotate about the securementbolt 35 until the head of the bolt is not located within the recessedchannel area 33 b. In this regard, the cam-pin 33 imparts a pullingforce onto the securement bolt 35 which is transmitted directly to theblock tensioner 31 and the takedown pin 32. Therefore, when in thisposition, cam-pin 33 and the block tensioner 31 are separated by asecond distance D2 that is less than the first distance D1.

In one embodiment, the difference between D1 and D2 can beten-thousandths of an inch, which is equal to a pulling force of about 5pounds. Such amounts being suitable to pull the upper receiver down tothe lower receiver, thereby removing the gap between the mating surfacesand eliminating undesirable movement between the lower receiver and anupper receiver that is engaged to the takedown pin assembly 30. As such,this is the preferred position of the adjustable assembly 30 when anupper receiver is secured by the takedown pin and the firearm is inactive operation. Of course, other embodiments are contemplated whereinthe pulling force is greater or less than the preferred 5 pounds.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a firearm 60 having the abovedescribed firearm receiver with adjustable positioning assembly 10. Asshown, the firearm can include an upper receiver 2 that is secured tothe lower receiver body 20 via a pivot pin 4, and the takedown pin 32.The firearm can also include the illustrated barrel 41, magazine 42,handgrip 43, trigger assembly 44 and shoulder stock 45, for example. Asshown, when the adjustment arm 34 is in the active position, the gap 70between the upper and lower receiver bodies is reduced such that themating surfaces of the upper receiver and lower receiver are in directcontact.

Accordingly, the above described firearm receiver with adjustablepositioning assembly 10 advantageously functions to impart a downwardforce the upper receiver 3 that is connected to the takedown pin 32.Moreover, owing to the angle of the securement bolt 35 within the boltchannel 25, the device also pulls the upper receiver backward (e.g.,toward the back end 21 b) of the lower receiver body. Such forcesfunctioning to preload the pivot pin 4 and load the takedown pin 32 in amanner that aligns the internally located rifle components such as thebuffer tube and bolt, for example, in a manner not possible with otherdevices.

Moreover, the unique pulling force of the inventive assembly maintainsproper alignment of the rifle components for as long as the assembly isin the active operating state.

Although described above as including both a receiver body andadjustable positioning assembly, the inventive concepts are not solimiting. To this end, other embodiments are contemplated wherein theadjustable takedown pin assembly 30 can be installed in a differentreceiver body that has been augmented to include the above describedchannels and apertures. Therefore, both the illustrated receiver body 20itself and the assembly 30 may be provided and/or used separately fromthe other.

As described herein, one or more elements of the firearm receiver withadjustable positioning assembly 10 can be secured together utilizing anynumber of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue,compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although theabove embodiments have been described as including separate individualelements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting.To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or moreindividually identified elements may be formed together as one or morecontinuous elements, either through manufacturing processes, such aswelding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece ofmaterial milled or machined with the aforementioned components formingidentifiable sections thereof.

As to a further description of the manner and use of the presentinvention, the same should be apparent from the above description.Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage andoperation will be provided.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof. Likewise, the terms “consisting”shall be used to describe only those components identified. In eachinstance where a device comprises certain elements, it will inherentlyconsist of each of those identified elements as well.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

1. A firearm lower receiver, comprising: an elongated body having a topend, a bottom end, a front end, a back end, a pair of side surfaces, anda block section positioned between the pair of side surfaces; a pair oftakedown pin openings that are positioned along each of the pair of sidesurfaces, said pair of takedown pin openings being configured to receivea takedown pin; and a takedown pin assembly that is in communicationwith the block section, wherein the takedown pin assembly is configuredto engage the takedown pin.
 2. The firearm lower receiver of claim 1,wherein the takedown pin assembly includes functionality for selectivelyimparting a pulling force onto the takedown pin in a direction that istoward the bottom end of the elongated body.
 3. The firearm lowerreceiver of claim 1, wherein the takedown pin assembly includes at leastone adjustment arm for transitioning between an engaged position and adisengaged position.
 4. The firearm lower receiver of claim 1, whereinthe pair of takedown pin openings include an oval shape.
 5. The firearmlower receiver of claim 1, wherein the takedown pin assembly furthercomprises: a generally U-shaped block tensioner having a bottom surfaceand a pair of arms; and a first opening that is positioned along one ofthe pair of arms; and a second opening that is positioned along theother of the pair of arms.
 6. The firearm lower receiver of claim 5,wherein the block tensioner is selectively positioned along the blocksection, such that the first opening and the second opening are eachaligned with one of the pair of takedown pin openings.
 7. The firearmlower receiver of claim 5, further comprising: a securement bolt that isselectively positioned within the bolt channel.
 8. The firearm lowerreceiver of claim 7, wherein the securement bolt is connected to thebottom end of the block tensioner.
 9. The firearm lower receiver ofclaim 8, further comprising: a cam channel that is positioned along thereceiver body at a location parallel to the pair of takedown pinopenings.
 10. The firearm lower receiver of claim 9, wherein the camchannel bisects the bolt channel.
 11. The firearm lower receiver ofclaim 10, further comprising: a cam-pin having an elongated shaft thatis positioned within the cam channel.
 12. The firearm lower receiver ofclaim 11, wherein the cam-pin selectively engages the securement boltpositioned within the bolt channel.
 13. The firearm lower receiver ofclaim 11, further comprising: an aperture that is located along a middleportion of the elongated shaft of the cam pin.
 14. The firearm lowerreceiver of claim 13, further comprising: a recession that is positionedadjacent to the aperture on the cam pin.
 15. The firearm lower receiverof claim 14, wherein the securement bolt is positioned through theaperture on the cam pin, and wherein the securement bolt selectivelyengages the recession.
 16. A firearm, comprising: an upper receiverhaving a first pair of takedown pin openings; a lower receiver thatincludes an elongated body having a top end, a bottom end, a front end,a back end, a pair of side surfaces, a block section positioned betweenthe pair of side surfaces, and a second pair of takedown pin openings;and a takedown pin assembly that is in communication with the blocksection and positioned adjacent to the second pair of takedown pinopenings, wherein the takedown pin assembly is configured to engage atakedown pin that is positioned through each of the first pair oftakedown pin openings and the second pair of takedown pin openings. 17.The firearm of claim 16, wherein the takedown pin assembly includesfunctionality for selectively imparting a pulling force onto thetakedown pin in a direction that is toward the bottom end of the lowerreceiver.
 18. The firearm of claim 16, wherein the takedown pin assemblyincludes functionality for transitioning between an engaged position anda disengaged position.
 19. The firearm of claim 18, further comprising:at least one adjustment arm for manually transitioning the takedown pinassembly between the engaged position and the disengaged position. 20.The firearm of claim 16, wherein the pair of takedown pin openingsinclude an oval shape.